Dear Faculty, Students and Staff,

Beginning August 3, 2020, access to Hesburgh Library will expand and in-person services will resume, with some modifications. Modified access and in-person services for branch locations will resume on August 10. I write to you today to share information about what to expect as we reopen.

The Hesburgh Libraries Reopening Task Force has diligently prepared library spaces and redesigned in-person services to help safely welcome students, faculty and staff back to campus. And, for those who prefer remote access to expertise and digital resources, we are always a chat, email (asklib@nd.edu), or Zoom consultation away.

In alignment with University priorities, our first guiding principle is to help protect the health of our students, faculty, staff and their families as we support teaching and research here at Notre Dame. Whether in-person or remote, we remain committed to service excellence as we fulfill our mission of Connecting People to Knowledge — safely.

Service Continuity Website

We have redesigned our Hesburgh Libraries Service Continuity website to offer more details about safely navigating specific library services and spaces in this rapidly changing landscape. I encourage you to visit this website often for the most up-to-date information about library expertise, services, resources and spaces. Below are some highlights that may be of particular interest.

Building Access

In-person access to Hesburgh Library and branch libraries is limited to current members of Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross College communities. Correct use of face coverings, physical distancing and other COVID-19 related policies and requirements must be observed in all library spaces throughout the duration of your visit.

Hesburgh Library Hours and Access

1. The building will be open August 3 to August 7 from 7:00am to 11:00pm.
2. We plan to be open Saturday, August 8, from 9:00am to 11:00pm and to resume a regular 24/5 schedule beginning August 9, pending final confirmation from campus partners.
3. Up-to-date information on Hesburgh Library building and service points, as well as all branch libraries, is available at our hours page.
4. The tower floors will be open to users — please browse the stacks safely.
5. The South Entrance (from the Courtyard) remains closed until further notice to help maintain safe traffic patterns and physical distancing. Please enter and exit via the East, West and North Entrances.

Research Centers and Select Branch Libraries
In many cases, in-person access to specialty areas will be by appointment only in order to protect library materials and maintain safe occupancy levels. Learn more about research requests for the Medieval Institute Library, Navari Center for Digital Scholarship, Rare Books & Special Collections, University Archives, Architecture Library and Visual Resources Center at our Service Continuity website under In-Person Access.

Low-Contact Circulation and Reference Services

Today, July 31, is the last day for no-contact materials pick-up at the East Entrance of Hesburgh Library. On Monday, August 3, low-contact circulation services will begin and you may:

1. Browse the stacks and use the self-check machines to check out physical materials.
2. Pick up and check out holds and Interlibrary Loan requests at the new Self-service Hold Shelf near the North Entrance of Hesburgh Library.
3. Return library materials using the three book returns (two in the 1st Floor Entrance Gallery and one outside near the Library Circle Entrance) available during business hours.
4. Receive walk-up assistance at the new Zoom Ask Us Desk on the 1st Floor, Monday to Friday from 9:00am – 5:00pm, starting August 10.

Document Delivery Expansion

1. You may pick up requested library materials from the new Self-service Hold Shelf near the North Entrance of Hesburgh Library.
2. Beginning August 10, you may request the Hesburgh Library, Architecture Library, Business Library, or Music Library as your preferred pick-up location.
3. Same day pick-up for this service is not available. Materials will undergo a quarantine period in accordance with our evidence-based materials handling procedures. You will receive notice when requested materials are available for self-service pickup.
4. Department delivery of requested items via Campus Mail remains on pause at this time until standard University mail operations come back online.

Interlibrary Loan and Acquisitions Expansion

1. We have resumed ordering and processing new print materials and physical media.
2. Beginning August 10, we will resume Interlibrary Loan borrowing.

Reserve a Seat or Computer — Coming Soon

1. All open seating and computer stations have been arranged with care to accommodate social distancing. In some cases, tabletop plastic barriers are used for space separation.
2. To help your students (and you) check occupancy levels and plan their visits, we are piloting a new online process to reserve a specific study seat or computer throughout the Hesburgh Library, Mahaffey Business Library, and Music Library locations.
3. This service is targeted to launch the week of August 10. Watch for Reserve a Seat and Reserve a Computer updates on the Service Status page of the Service Continuity Website.

Ongoing: Remote Services Continue

Remote access to expertise, services and resources will continue for those who prefer or are unable to visit our physical locations, including:

1. Online services and research consultations
2. Online course and library instruction
3. Online access to reference consultations and chat
4. Electronic Course Reserves requests
5. Electronic access to resources and materials via the library catalog
6. Online resources by subject and research and course guides

Please explore and continue to visit our Hesburgh Libraries Service Continuity website for more in-depth information about what to expect at Hesburgh Libraries this fall. If you have specific questions for the Hesburgh Libraries Phased Reopening Task Force please submit them to Hesburgh.Libraries@nd.edu.

We look forward to seeing you when you return back home to Notre Dame.

Sincerely,

Diane Parr Walker
Edward H. Arnold University Librarian
Hesburgh Libraries